Film producer wins royalties legal battle with Pythons over spin-off Spamalot musical
- Mark Forstater claimed he was due a share of profits from spin-off show
- He produced 1975 film Monty Python And The Holy Grail
- Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones gave evidence at High Court
- Judge Mr Justice Norris rules in Mr Forstater's favour today
- 'I have been proved right - justice had prevailed' said Mr Forstater
Victorious: Film producer Mark Forstater has won his High Court battle over royalties to the Monty Python spin-off Spamalot
The stars of Monty Python have been ordered to pay extra royalties to a former producer after losing a High Court battle yesterday over their hit stage show Spamalot.
Mark Forstater, 69, had argued that, as producer of the 1975 film Monty Python And The Holy Grail, he should receive about £250,000 extra from the profits of the spin-off comedy musical.
He claimed he was effectively the ‘seventh Python’. But the five survivors of the six-strong comedy team said the suggestion was ‘laughable’.
They argued that he was entitled to only a one-fourteenth share of the royalties, which he had been paid.
Pythons Eric Idle, Michael Palin and Terry Jones gave evidence during the claim.
Mr Palin, 70, said Mr Forstater was ‘not part of our team’ while Mr Jones, 71, said Mr Forstater had ‘done jolly well’ out of his involvement with Monty Python.
However, Judge Mr Justice Norris ruled that Mr Forstater was entitled to a seventh of the profits from the spin-off musical, which has grossed well over £100million.
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After the verdict, the film producer, from Queen’s Park, North-West London, said: ‘I have always been adamant I was correct. I have been proved right – justice has prevailed. There is a sadness, though, about having to face people who were my friends in court.’
Reunited: Michael Palin, Eric Idle and Terry Jones all gave evidence to the High Court
The Palace Theatre in London, where Spamalot! premiered in 2006
He said he was entitled to around £250,000 but the final figures will be worked out at later hearings.
The judge had heard how Mr Forstater was in financial difficulties having been declared bankrupt.
None of the Python team was in court to hear the ruling. Mr Forstater’s counsel Tom Weisselberg said he was entitled to one-seventh under an agreement made in 1974, but the Pythons said they could not recollect any agreement.
The three Pythons who gave evidence said there could never have been a ‘seventh Python’ as they jealously guarded their ‘creative world’.
Mr Palin said: ‘It might have been what he was seeking but it was never going to be accepted by the Pythons. I don’t think there was ever any question that this man was a seventh Python.’
When asked about Mr Forstater being classed as a member of the team, Mr Idle, who wrote Spamalot, said: ‘When I first heard about that I found it laughable. He has no comedy in him.
The six Pythons: The comedy pioneers took on the legend of King Arthur in the 1975 film, which descended into typical Python madness within approximately 30 seconds
Monty Python's Spamalot! The play is inspired by the Holy Grail film from 1975
‘I think he’s received over £250,000 from Spamalot – and about £500,000 from Spamalot, Monty Python and the whole lot – so I feel he’s slightly ungrateful.’
The Python team’s counsel Richard Spearman QC said: ‘These are not unpleasant shifty people trying to do people out of their just deserts.’
Spamalot premiered on Broadway in 2005. Its initial run grossed £110million and it has since had a long-running production in London and versions around the world.
Mr Justice Norris was told that the worldwide commercial success of Spamalot appeared to have led to a cut in Mr Forstater’s share of the profits from Holy Grail spin-off merchandising.
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